Schemes

Government Communication Service

On the Government Communications Fast Stream, you won’t just read the headlines. You’ll help to make them.

Duration

4 years

Salary

£28k

Location

UK-wide

About

The Government Communication Service Fast Stream launched in 2015 to recruit and develop the profession’s next generation of leaders. On this scheme you’ll reach out to our audiences, supporting awareness and engagement with some of the most important issues in our society.

You’ll work across a range of departments and communications disciplines. You might be working in a busy press office, an innovative internal communications team or on campaigns and marketing. Or you could learn about public relations and low cost media.

Working with senior leaders and Ministers in a fast-paced environment, you’ll learn about leading world-class communications. Communications that support Ministers’ priorities, improve people’s lives and enable the effective operation of our public services.

Promotion and successful completion of the scheme will see you earn around £45k to £55k. When you’ve finished the programme, you could be leading a communications team or even a directorate.

Requirements

you need to be eligible to work in the UK

you need, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher in any degree subject

existing civil servants can apply without a degree

What will you experience?

You’ll work across a range of departments and communications disciplines. You might be working in a busy press office, an innovative internal communications team or on campaigns and marketing, using public relations and low cost media.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with senior leaders and ministers in a fast-paced environment.

What do they say

Your progression through the programme

Year

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

Two 6-month placements. Your first posting is likely to be in media relations, campaigns and marketing, digital communications or international communications.

Two 6-month placements, including a regional or external secondment or a secondment to a complementary field. External secondments might be in the private or third sector and will show you communications and marketing through a different lens.

You’ll have one 12-month placement in your third year. You’ll get a chance to lead a team and build deeper expertise in communications as you complete a professional qualification.

In your final year you’ll have one 12-month placement. This will consolidate the communications and leadership skills you’ve developed over the last 3 years.

Goal Defender.

Media Planner.

Fast Streamer.

Goal Defender.

Media Planner.

Fast Streamer.

Goal Defender.

Media Planner.

Fast Streamer.

Goal Defender.

Media Planner.

Fast Streamer.

Supporting your learning

Ongoing training and development from the Fast Stream curriculum, our Specialist communications training programme and the communications profession:

Mentoring.

Case studies.

Access to external speakers.

Professional networking.

Professional qualification working towards the Strategic Communications Management Development Programme (Post Graduate Diploma).

You may also have the option of a secondment outside of government, or the opportunity to study for a professional communications qualification.

Up to £55k

If you successfully complete the scheme and are promoted, you could earn around £45k to £55k.

What benefits will you enjoy?

You’ll have a unique chance to work on issues that really matter, and to gain experience internally and externally plus a brilliant foundation for promotion and long-term progression.

Other benefits include the Civil Service pension scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, child care assistance and more.

Application process

You'll only move on to the next test, if you've successfully passed the previous one.

Assessment centre

If you pass the online tests, you'll be invited to complete an Application Form. Once this is submitted then you will be eligible to be invited to attend a half-day assessment at one of our assessment centres in either London or Newcastle.

We'll ask you to take part in a series of exercises. This includes a leadership exercise, a group exercise and an analysis exercise.

You can take a virtual tour of the assessment centres at the following links:

If you are successful at the assessment centre, you’ll be invited to take part in a final selection process.

The specialist assessments will assess your broad capabilities and motivation to be part of the profession you’ve chosen. You’ll be sent detailed guidance before the assessment to explain what is involved.